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The numbers are sobering. In 2025, the average cost of a data breach for South African organisations was R44.1 million. Yet, despite 81% of business leaders expressing concern about their exposure to cyber risk, only 26% have added a cybercrime supplement to their cover, and just 52% have standalone cyber insurance. This gap between knowledge and protection reveals a bigger truth: business risks have shifted, and traditional insurance hasn’t always kept pace. The Great Risk Revolution   The assets that matter most today aren’t bricks, fleets, or factory floors. They’re customer data sitting in the cloud, systems that can be compromised by a single misplaced email, or compliance fines triggered by rules you didn’t even know applied. South African companies now face an average of 1,450 cyberattacks per week — up 4% year on year. Over 70% of SMEs reported at least one attempted cyberattack in 2024. And still, over 70% of local businesses have little or no cybersecurity awareness. Human error remains the system’s greatest vulnerability. This is not the old insurance playbook. Risks now live in code, people, and processes, demanding protection designed for a digital economy. Lessons from the Courts   Recent South African court cases have brought the danger into sharp focus. In Hartog v. Daly, a conveyancing attorney was held liable for R1.4 million after fraudsters intercepted and diverted property sale proceeds through manipulated emails. Following “normal” email protocol was no longer enough. In another case, Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs v. Hawarden, the High Court initially ordered a law firm to pay R5.5 million after a business email compromise scam. Although the order was later overturned on appeal, it highlighted just how financially exposed professional firms are to digital risk. These aren’t rare exceptions. In December 2024, the Information Regulator fined the Department of Justice R5 million for failing to maintain basic cybersecurity, and the Department of Basic Education received a similar penalty. The verdict? Courts and regulators alike are signalling that digital negligence is no longer acceptable. The Cascade Effect   The tricky part about modern risks is how quickly they multiply. Imagine a law firm’s email system is hacked. Clients get fraudulent payment instructions. What follows? Professional indemnity claims. Cyber breach costs. Client compensation. Regulatory fines under POPIA. Reputational damage. Traditional insurance may cover one or two of these. The rest? Straight onto your balance sheet. This cascade effect is exactly why cyber protection can’t be treated as a “nice to have.” One incident can spill into multiple categories of loss — and if your cover isn’t comprehensive, you’re left patching holes at your own expense. The SME Vulnerability   Small and medium-sized companies are in a particularly tough spot. They face the sharpest edge of today’s risks but are often the least prepared. One in three South African SMEs has already been targeted by a cyberattack, yet just 17% have cyber insurance. Globally, 43% of cyberattacks hit small firms, with human error present in 74% of breaches. Locally, 40% of SMEs rely on free antivirus software, while 27% don’t back up their data at all. It’s a dangerous mismatch: the businesses with the most to lose are often those with the weakest shields. And when attacks hit, the costs are not just financial — operations are disrupted, trust erodes, and reputations take years to rebuild. The Modern Solution   That’s why insurers with vision are rethinking protection. At Bryte, we partner with Phishield to offer Cyber Protect — a cover designed for South African businesses navigating this digital era. Cyber Protect provides lifecycle support: prevention, response, and recovery. It covers data loss, business interruption, liability, and even includes Funds Protect — protection for fraudulent payments or EFT redirection. This is the risk at play in cases like Hartog v. Daly. The product is also offered as a standalone cover for companies that want targeted protection without a comprehensive package. Easy, accessible, and affordable — especially for SMEs that historically thought cyber insurance was a luxury product. In other words, protection shouldn’t be out of reach. It should be part of how every business, big or small, builds resilience. Building Modern Protection   True security in 2025 requires three components: 1. Prevention: building systems, processes, and cultures that reduce risk — from how data is managed to how staff use email. 2. Detection: monitoring systems that catch a problem early, from cybersecurity tools to compliance oversight. 3. Protection: insurance that matches real-world risks — cyber liability, professional indemnity, crisis management, and more. Insurance is no longer just about replacing what you’ve lost. It’s about enabling resilience in the face of fast-changing threats. And in a world where one wrong click can cost millions, resilience is priceless. The Path Forward   The good news? Once you acknowledge modern risks, it becomes possible to prepare for them. Start by asking: 1. When last did we audit our exposures against the cover we have? 2. How has our business model changed since we last bought insurance? 3. Are we fully aligned with POPIA and other regulatory demands? The businesses thriving in this new environment aren’t those with the biggest insurance budgets. They’re the ones with the smartest risk intelligence. At Bryte, we believe resilience isn’t about waiting for disaster — it’s about building smarter defences today. Speak to your broker, or connect with us directly, to explore how Cyber Protect can keep your business moving forward.   *This article is for educational purposes and is based on publicly available information about South Africa’s network transition and general insurance requirements. For advice specific to your policy, please consult your broker or insurance provider.

You have a successful restaurant in Stellenbosch and veld fires take everything, or a warehouse in Midrand where a hailstorm plummets through the roof. These scenes are not uncommon in South Africa. Increasingly extreme weather — the result of our geography and climate change — is causing disasters like these more often, not as remote possibilities but as actual events that change the economic landscape. Their financial ripple is everywhere, and business owners must account for it. People often consider insurance a necessary expense — something we hope never to use. However, when disaster strikes, insurance is not overhead; it is a financial lifeline to recovery that keeps jobs and economies stable. We’ve observed this pattern at Bryte, and the numbers tell a compelling story about the actual economic value of being adequately covered. The Stark Reality of South Africa’s Protection Gap South Africa is 86% underinsured — nine out of ten rand in disaster losses are not insured. The KwaZulu-Natal floods in April 2022 caused R54 billion in damages. Only half of that was insured; the rest fell on government budgets, taxpayers, and the thousands of businesses now faced with rebuilding their futures unaided. And this is not a one-off situation. In 2024, heavy rains and floods led to the tragic deaths of 14 people, thousands were displaced, and roadways and bridges were destroyed in the Eastern Cape, which reported infrastructure damage of over R4.5 billion. Many of those losses were not covered by insurance. The devastation is felt by the state and by the most vulnerable communities, which are least able to bounce back. This protection gap affects everyone: businesses, households, municipalities, and even the national treasury. If we let nine out of ten disaster rand go unserved, we undermine our ability to recover — from the ground up. A Geography at Risk South Africa’s geography and climate make us particularly vulnerable. In the Western Cape, wildfires can devastate years’ worth of agricultural investment and planning in hours. The “Day Zero” drought alone cost the region more than R5 billion and led to 25,000 job losses. These events underscore how quickly fortunes can turn, and why the right cover is so important for farmers, producers, and the broader agri-economy. The Eastern Cape’s Nelson Mandela Bay Metro is heavily susceptible to flooding, which devastates informal settlements and disrupts port operations — major trade arteries for dozens of industries. On the Highveld, million-rand hailstorms continue to wreak violent damage. The worst Gauteng storm of November 2023 resulted in R35 million of insurance claims and close to R18 million paid out for vehicles alone. These case studies illustrate an urgent lesson: strong, tailored cover for farms, fleets, manufacturers — and every business affected by catastrophe — is essential. Insurance and the Economy Insurance goes beyond obtaining replacement, restoration, or compensation for lost or damaged property. It’s an economic engine that saves jobs, keeps supply chains working, and supports communities. In a disaster, business interruption cover pays wages, rent, and fixed costs, helping businesses get back on their feet. It means the coffee shop in Rosebank can keep its baristas, a wine farm in Paarl can retain its seasonal team, and freight companies in Durban can honour contracts even as they recoup losses. When there is no significant cover, continuity fades and recovery is sluggish. Studies independently verify that insured businesses and households recover and return to profitability more quickly than those without insurance. The billions that insurers spend are not money lost to the ether; these funds circulate through wages, contracts, supplies, and rebuilding, supporting the industries that help South Africa thrive. Tailored Cover for Each Sector Every industry faces unique risks, so sector-specific insurance is vital: Agriculture: Farms can succumb to drought, floods, or fire. Insurance enables farmers to replant, care for livestock, and keep rural economies viable. Marine: Delayed or lost cargo disrupts supply chains. Marine insurance shields goods in transit, benefiting producers, sellers, and buyers. Transport and fleets: Fleet and specialist motor insurance are crucial for logistics companies, enabling them to get back on the road and keep commerce flowing, especially during weather disruption. Property & Body Corporate: Apartment blocks, shopping centres, and municipalities are covered with sectional title and commercial buildings cover, easing the burden of recovery costs. Classic cars and specialist assets: Classic car insurance underpins a lively specialist economy, protecting collectors, suppliers, and events from financial loss. Evidence from the Field Consider the Markman industrial zone in Gqeberha. Uninsured businesses shut down after flooding, which resulted in lost wages and eroded infrastructure. Those with coverage kept their staff paid and their doors open, not only fending off the blow to their own finances but also helping to prop up the entire local economy against collapse. Insurance for large mining, manufacturing, and other major employers is more than financial protection — these companies are often the lifeblood of entire communities. A Partner to Government Businesses that are well insured take the weight off the government. With a diminished need for the government to bail out uninsured businesses, the Treasury is free to concentrate on rebuilding core infrastructure and providing those most in need with assistance. South Africa's Disaster Risk Financing Strategy for 2024 underscores the importance: increasing coverage enhances national resilience and eases the strain on scarce public resources. Recovery Confidence Insurance delivers “recovery confidence.” When communities and businesses feel safe and secure, they invest, innovate, and grow. The advantages are evident: a Gauteng manufacturing business expanding into the Western Cape with total cover; or a wine farm in Paarl planting new fields, knowing its agriculture cover is sound. Insurance powers investment, jobs, and resilience at all levels. Adapting to Climate Change Increasing weather volatility — flash floods in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, hailstorms in Gauteng, wildfires in the Western Cape — calls for innovation. Bryte is continuously evolving. Through our Underwriting Manager Agency partnerships, we offer advanced crop insurance, rapid wildfire containment funds, and comprehensive motor insurance for collector and daily vehicles. This allows South Africa’s diverse business and personal landscape to continue functioning and flourishing, no matter the risk. More Than a Cost: An Investment The impact of insurance isn’t simply on profits today; it’s about lasting profitability and ongoing resilience. With the right cover, disaster recovery fuels economic activity, saves jobs, maintains stability, and provides a bridge towards long-term growth. Agricultural insurance to protect rural livelihoods, marine and commercial policies to support trade and operations, and tailored solutions keeping sectors alive — insurance is no longer just an overhead but a cornerstone of South Africa’s economy. The choice is clear: retain an overwhelming protection gap, letting businesses and families suffer unnecessary hardship, or recognise insurance for what it truly is: a pathway to a stronger and more prosperous South Africa.

AI Is Revolutionising Travel: Smoother Journeys for Tech-Savvy Travellers Travel has always been about adventure, but let’s be honest – the getting there part hasn’t always been a breeze. Remember shuffling through boarding passes and deciphering airport announcements? Not the most fun we’ve ever had. Luckily, we live in a world where AI is stepping in as the ultimate travel sidekick. We’re finding that our journeys are getting smoother, smarter, and more enjoyable, especially for those of us who pride ourselves on being tech‑savvy globetrotters. In this article, we explore how AI is changing the game for travellers – and why we at Bryte are excited about this brave new world of travel tech.  Personalised Planning with Your AI Travel Buddy These days, trip planning can feel like having a personal travel agent on call 24/7 – except that agent is an AI algorithm. According to Statista, around 80% of travellers used or are open to AI for trip planning in 2024. In South Africa, nearly 48% have turned to AI for planning. Why the sudden surge? Because AI-driven platforms are pros at providing travel ideas tailored to you. Modern travellers don’t want generic suggestions – they want recommendations that ‘get’ them. And AI delivers. It sifts through your preferences (mountain hike or beach chill?), past trips, and even real‑time factors like weather or flight trends. The result is a personalised itinerary. You might even see a boutique hotel suggestion in Cape Town because the system “remembers” you love sea views and free Wi‑Fi. In fact, the industry knows personalisation is key: 83% of customers expect tailored recommendations from travel services. Seamless Journeys, From Check-In to Take-Off AI is also transforming the journey itself, smoothing out old travel pain points. For example, IATA has trialled fully biometric, touch‑free journeys using Digital Travel Credentials and live facial recognition — letting travellers breeze through baggage, security, immigration and boarding without showing physical documents. This "just‑walk‑through" future is no longer sci-fi. Airlines, too, are making flying less of a hassle. American Airlines is now testing an AI-powered chat assistant that helps customers rebook flights during weather disruptions — no queue, just instant answers. And right here at home, FlySafair’s “Lindi” on WhatsApp lets you book flights or change seats with a simple text—no app fuss required. Many hotels now use AI‑powered chatbots for guest queries, some have voice‑activated room controls or even robot concierges. The whole journey is getting stream‑lined — fewer details to fret over, more time to explore. Real-Time Problem Solving: No More Travel Dramas? Even with great planning and smooth check-ins, travel can surprise us – flights get delayed, bags go missing, plans change. The good news is AI excels at real-time problem solving, turning potential dramas into mere hiccups. Generative AI can keep an eye on your trip and anticipate issues before you even know about them. For example, if a connecting flight is running late, an AI system might alert you and suggest a new route in seconds. Travel companies are tapping into this power. Some are using AI to predict flight delays and automatically rebook affected passengers, while others deploy chatbots that instantly answer urgent questions like “My flight was cancelled – what now?” In our own industry, we see how real-time travel assistance can be a lifesaver. It’s all about reducing that panic when something goes wrong.  That said, tech isn’t fool‑proof. AI may find you a new flight, but it won’t fetch your luggage from Timbuktu. That’s where human savvy and planning come back into play. AI will handle the routine hassles, but if a true travel disaster strikes, you’ll want a safety net.  Tech-Savvy and Risk-Savvy: Why Insurance Still Matters We love what AI is doing for travel. It’s making journeys faster and more stress-free for tech-savvy travellers. But here’s our Bryte reality check: even the smartest AI can’t eliminate travel risks completely. Flights can still get cancelled by freak storms, a clever app won’t prevent a sudden illness overseas, and your meticulously planned itinerary might still hit an unexpected snag. As a proactive travel insurer, we feel it’s our duty to remind everyone that being tech-savvy should go hand-in-hand with being risk-savvy. Our latest data backs this up. The Bryte Travel Index 2024 highlighted that while AI helps travellers navigate their trips, a comprehensive travel insurance policy remains the best safeguard against those “serious realities” of travel. In fact, we’ve seen a notable rise in travel-related claims – everything from medical emergencies to delayed flights and lost luggage, with costs mounting into the millions. It’s a clear message: having the right cover is crucial, even in the age of AI-assisted travel. At Bryte, we believe in proactive protection. We encourage travellers to embrace these tech innovations – use the AI trip planners, enjoy the seamless airport tech – but also to stay one step ahead of the risks. Think of it this way: AI smooths out your journey, and insurance has your back when life throws a curveball. Together, they’re the dynamic duo of truly worry-free travel. Embracing the Future of Travel, Together As we look ahead, we’re excited about how AI is revolutionising travel. We’re entering a golden age of smarter journeys. Travel will keep getting more personalised, more convenient, and hopefully even more fun. But remember, technology works best when paired with a human touch. At Bryte, we’re committed to this future: smart, safe travel. We’ll keep innovating our coverage to match travel’s tech pace — so you can plan with confidence, travel with ease, and explore without worry. So, plan your trip with AI, chat with a smart assistant, let your app open your hotel door. Just don’t forget to #PackBryte, because when you combine cutting-edge tech with the reassurance of Bryte Travel Insurance, that’s when your journeys truly become as smooth, smart, and secure as they can be. 

When the days get shorter and the air takes on that familiar chill, we all start breaking out the blankets and heaters. But we’ve noticed something else that arrives with the cold: a spike in insurance claims.  Every winter, claims for building, home contents and vehicle insurance tend to rise. So why does the cosy season bring increased mishaps? Let’s unpack the curious case of South African winters and what they mean for your cover.  Building Blues: Roofs, Rains and Bursts  Winter weather in South Africa is split down the middle. In Gauteng and beyond, we get dry, chilly days. In the Western Cape? It’s three months of cold fronts, downpours and howling winds. All that rain can turn a small roof leak into an indoor waterfall, while strong winds can send tiles and debris flying. Last year, intense winter storms around Cape Town caused flooding in over 35,000 homes — with roofs blown off, trees toppled, and streets transformed into rivers. It’s no surprise that building insurance claims rise sharply during the wet season.  Elsewhere, the cold can still cause trouble. Freezing nights can crack roof tiles or burst pipes, especially in older homes. And when unexpected hail or snow makes an appearance, we see even more pressure on property. In short, winter puts your home’s structure to the test. A strong building insurance policy is key to weathering the storm.  Contents at Risk: Fires, Blown Circuits and “Brrr-glars”  Staying warm in winter means heaters, fireplaces and sometimes candles, all of which come with risk. Authorities warn that household fires and burn injuries rise in the colder months. Cape Town alone recorded over 900 residential fires during one winter season — many caused by unattended heat sources.  Fires don’t just damage the structure, they destroy furniture, appliances, sentimental items, and everything in between. That’s where home contents insurance steps in.  Another winter risk? Sudden power surges. Voltage spikes can fry appliances in an instant — from TVs and fridges to laptops and routers. It’s worth checking whether your contents policy includes cover for surge damage, and whether your electronics are protected. A surge protector is a small investment that can prevent a big “oops” later.  It’s not just the elements we guard against – it’s also opportunistic thieves. Longer nights give burglars more cover to sneak around, earning them the chilly nickname “brrr-glars”. Dark gardens, open windows, and unlit driveways are common entry points. Outdoor items like gas bottles, tools or patio furniture also become easy targets.  Double-checking that your alarm is working and motion sensor lights are active can help. So can ensuring your contents policy reflects what’s in your home today — not what was there five years ago.  Vehicle Trouble: Slippery Roads and Frosty Fenders  Winter driving brings its own challenges: misty mornings, fogged-up windscreens and, in some areas, black ice. In the Cape, rain-slick roads are common. Upcountry, thick fog and early frost can turn a calm commute into a white-knuckle trip.  Shorter daylight hours mean more of us are on the road in the dark — when accidents are statistically more likely. Even sun glare can become a factor during winter mornings and evenings, when the sun sits lower in the sky. Add to that cold-weather car issues like reduced tyre pressure or batteries that just won’t start, and it’s clear why motor insurance claims typically rise in winter. The good news? Most of these issues are avoidable with a little prep. Check your tyres, brakes, and wipers early in the season. Drive cautiously in bad weather and make sure your policy includes the support you’d want on a cold roadside — like towing or car hire cover. Stay Safe and Covered This Winter  Our claims team knows winter tends to be busy — but a little preparation can go a long way. Servicing heaters, checking gutters, locking up early and being alert behind the wheel all help reduce the likelihood of having to claim. Of course, even with the best planning, life happens. That’s why we’re here. Now’s a great time to review your policies, update your cover, and speak to us or your broker about any changes you’ve made to your home or vehicle setup.  Ready to winter-proof your peace of mind? We’re here to help. Reach out to our team or your broker for a policy health check, and let’s make sure you’re fully covered for the frosty season ahead: https://www.brytesa.com/contact-us [https://www.brytesa.com/contact-us]